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Tooth Knocked Out
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top, not the root portion. Make sure that you do not touch the root of the tooth with your hands. The root is the portion of the
tooth which is usually embedded in the gum and not normally seen. You may carefully rinse the tooth in cool water, but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily, DO
NOT scrub it or clean it with soap -- use just water! Try to reinsert it in the socket. Hold the tooth in place by biting. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth
in a cup containing milk or salt water. The tooth should not be wrapped in tissues, handkerchiefs, or gauze. Call our office or an oral surgeon's office IMMEDIATELY! Time
is a critical factor in saving the tooth. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth - if replanted within 60 minutes it has the best chance of survival.
Once the tooth is replanted, it should be splinted into position. The tooth should be re-examined within two weeks for possible removal of the splint. Two of the most
common complications of replanted teeth that have been knocked out are: 1) nerve of the tooth dying, and 2) the root dissolving. Treatment for both of these is a root canal.
For several months after the accident, the tooth or teeth should be monitored in how they appear and what shows on x-rays monthly. If signs and/or symptoms that the
nerve is dying or the root is dissolving are evident, a root canal should be started, if it had not already been done.
Prognosis is variable. It may not be possible to judge the success of reimplantation for many years. If the root continues to dissolve after root canal, the tooth will most likely
be lost. Then, an implant, bridge or partial denture will be needed to replace the missing tooth to prevent problems associated with missing teeth. Toothache
Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly and gently by brushing, flossing and rinsing. Rinse vigorously with warm salt water or use dental floss to dislodge trapped
food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. If your face is swollen, apply a cold compress. Take a pain reliever and call as soon as possible if the toothache does not subside.
Filling Falls Out
Fillings typically don't "come out" unless there is decay present to compromise them;
still you're left with a void that can be both sensitive and annoying until you can get in to have it treated. A great help is "orthodontic wax" to fill such a void. Orthodontic
wax is soft and moldable, and is generally available in most drug store dental sections. Chipped Tooth
If there is pain or sensitivity in the affected tooth that persists, call immediately as this indicates the tooth nerve may be injured.
If no pain or sensitivity is experienced the situation is not as critical. You should call to double check, but in most cases, you can simply schedule a future appointment to replace the lost portion of the tooth. For comfort where a tooth is rough, apply orthodontic wax (See section above). Something Stuck Between Teeth
Sometimes something gets stuck between teeth. It could be a piece of floss, or food, or something else. If after trying flossing normally the item is not removed, try putting a knot in the floss.
With the knot in the floss, place the floss between teeth normally by gently sliding it back and forth past the tight spot, then carefully pull the knot through. This will often catch what is stuck.
If this does not remove the stuck object, call our office for an appointment. While certainly annoying, stuck objects between teeth are unlikely to need urgent emergency care. Mouth Sores
An excellent
over the counter treatment for mouth sores and irritations is Orabase Sooth-N-Seal, available at the drugstore.Fever blisters, also called cold sores
(caused by the herpes simplex virus) occur usually on the lower lip, but can also occur on the upper lip. These often appear during
stress, sick times with colds, flu or other infections, during pregnancy, but also with prolonged exposure to sun or cold. These are contagious and if the blister breaks,
direct contact with other people should be avoided to prevent transmitting the virus that causes the sore until it is healed. Keeping the sore area covered with an
ointment until healing is completed will make things more comfortable. Abreva is an over-the-counter cream available. It speeds healing time somewhat. Canker sores
(aphthous ulcers) occur inside the mouth usually not right next to teeth, but under the tongue or between the gums and cheek. These often occur during times
of stress, and some people feel that acidic foods bring them on (oranges, tomatoes, etc.). Once the canker sore appears, it will take about a week to heal, but in the
meantime one of the best over the counter treatments is called Kanka - available in the drugstore. Applied directly on the sore, it makes it more tolerable until healing is
completed. For regular canker sore sufferers there is a prescription cream that works very well called "Aphthasol."
Other different sores can occur, but these are the two most common. Mouth sores should heal within two weeks, and if they don't, please see us for further evaluation.Denture irritation spots and retainer sore spots can be treated like canker sores, but you will usually need to call for an adjustment to prevent the sore spot from continuing
or re-occurring. Anbesol over-the-counter ointment will give temporary relief. Cut
Apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop or
slow after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure call or go to the emergency room. Bleeding After Baby Tooth Falls Out
Fold and pack a clean gauze or cloth over the bleeding area. Have the child bite on the gauze with pressure for 15 minutes. This may be repeated. It is normal to have bleeding after a baby tooth falls out, and it is generally not necessary to do anything - unless it makes you feel or your child feel better. |
